On the move

The College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management is on the move and will have
a new home at the Close-Hipp Building in 2019.

Page updated: January 14, 2019

The College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management (HRSM) has sustained powerful
growth in student enrollment, program reputation, and industry partnerships over the
years, and the time has come for the college to move to a new location to support
its continued success.

HRSM is scheduled to become the primary academic unit to occupy one of the University
of South Carolina’s flagship buildings, the Close-Hipp building.

Close-Hipp

The College’s future home is located northeast of UofSC’s historic Horseshoe and in
close proximity to Downtown Columbia’s vibrant business and tourism district.

Highlights of HRSM’s new home include:

Largest classroom building on campus

An estimated traffic of 4,000 visitors daily

New J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation Culinary Laboratory

Cafe in the lobby

400-seat Belk Auditorium

Outdoor social and event space

Ample natural light with floor-to-ceiling windows around every floor

The Close-Hipp Building is a dual-towered building comprised of the H. William Close
Building which was completed in 1973 and the Francis M. Hipp Building which was completed
in 1983.

The University is currently conducting a renovation project for the eight-story, 408,000-square-foot
building to provide the growing campus community with ample access to education and
research facilities.

In addition to HRSM, the building will be a hub for important university offices including
Conference and Continuing Education Services, Global Carolina, Study Abroad, University
Advising and more. HRSM will be the primary academic unit to occupy the building.

Move details

Updates and additional details will be posted as they become available.

The move is currently expected to begin in July 2019 with a target to have all HRSM
offices relocated for the start of the fall 2019 semester.

HRSM will occupy the following spaces in the Close-Hipp Building:

1. 1st floor — Hipp (north tower): HRSM will have a prominent presence on the ground floor with cross-disciplinary services and spaces for students and visitors, including student recruitment, the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation Culinary Laboratory, a digital retailing design lab, and a sport and entertainment management exhibit space

As many HRSM classes as possible will be taught in or near the Close-Hipp building.

Faculty, staff and students will directly receive more detailed information about
specific office move dates, locations, and logistics as the move gets closer to ensure
a smooth transition. This page will also be updated with details as they become available.